2001-02 National Team Development Program -Ann Arbor, MI
1999-01 Sauk Rapids - Rice (MN) High School
Nate comes to the Huskies with an impressive resume of athletic and academic achievement. At Sauk Rapids - Rice High School he was a two-time Team MVP, All Conference and Times Area First Team. He scored 110 points over two seasons and was named to the MN Class A State Tournament "All Tournament Team" as a freshman. He also participated as a member of the MN Selects and Dakota Selects in the National Select Festivals and carried a 3.30 GPA at Sauk Rapids - Rice H.S. To top it off, he was also an All Section 8AAA Linebacker /Kicker in football.
As a high school junior, he joined the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he played in all 62 games and posted 29 points (9 G, 20 assists). Against Division 1 competition he had 3 goals and 5 assists. He was also a member of the U.S. team that won the Under 18 World Championship in Slovakia.
This past season he joined the River City Lancers of the USHL and played in all 59 games after reporting following his H.S. football season. He finished the season with 26 points and an impressive +16 plus/minus rating (third among all Lancers forwards). His team finished as runner-up for the USHL's Clark Cup Trophy.
This durable two-way player should get extensive playing time as a freshman. His work ethic, size/physical presence, face-off skills, and ability to play a strong checking game should prove valuable to the Huskies as they rebuild in 2003-04.
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Justin Fletcher - 5'10" 170 Defense, Maryville, IL
2002-03 Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
2001-02 Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
2000-01 Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
This versatile defenseman from Maryville, Illinois (near St. Louis) made great strides as a player and team leader over his three years with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. In 2001-02 he posted 13 points while helping Sioux City win the Clark Cup. He was named captain of the Musketeers for the 2002-03 season and responded with the USHL's highest rated plus/minus at +34. He also contributed 43 points on 12 goals and 31 assists - third among all league defensemen. He was named to the 2003 USHL Prospects/All Star team and was awarded team MVP and Best Defensive Player for the Musketeers. He developed into one of the leagues premier all purpose defensemen excelling defensively, on the power play and short handed. According to Sioux City Coach Dave Siciliano "Justin has developed to become an outstanding offensive defenseman, who competes at each and every practice and game. It is because of this competitive attitude that he has become a team leader." This talented defenseman could make an immediate impact by filling the void left by the departure of Derek Eastman.
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Brent Hill - 5' 7" 185 Forward, Slave Lake, Alberta
2002-03 - Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL)
2001-02 - Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL)
This feisty forward from the Alberta Junior Hockey League racked up 138 minutes in penalties during the 2002-03 season while producing 93 points on 34 goals and 59 assists in 64 games. He finished the season as the leading scorer for Drayton Valley and fourth leading scorer in the league. His 10 power play goals, 5 short handed goals and 6 game winning goals were also team highs. He was selected to participate in the 2003 AJHL All Star Classic and was named the 2003 "Source for Sports" Player of the Year. Hill's gritty style of play and strong offensive skills should make him an immediate contributor to the Huskies. He hails from Slave Lake, Alberta located north of Edmonton.
Gary Houseman - 5'10" 170 Forward, Saskatoon, SK
2002-03 - Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
2001-02 - Kindersley Klippers (SJHL)
2000-01 - Beardy's Blackhawks (SMHL)
Great speed and skill personify the play of this forward from Sioux City of the USHL. Although the small size of the Musketeers home rink may have stunted his production somewhat he still posted 48 points on 22 goals and 26 assists in 60 games during the 2002-03 season. In 2001-02 he gained Rookie of the Year honors and was selected to the leagues All Rookie Team while playing for Kindersley of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. His 80 points (39 G, 41 A) ranked 6th in league scoring and first overall for rookies and he was also named MVP of the SJHL/MJHL All Star game. In 2000-01 he was named the Air Canada Cup West Regional Top Forward, Ice Mania Tourney MVP and Top Scorer in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. A top student, he has aspirations of becoming a medical doctor and was recruited heavily by Ivy League school Harvard University. According to his USHL coach Dave Siciliano "He is a very intelligent player, who offensively is a threat everytime he has the puck. He also competes hard every shift." This player will benefit from the larger NHC ice surface and he will be counted on to contribute offensively for the Huskies.
Grant Clafton - 5' 11" 170 Defense, Grand Rapids, MN
2002-03 - River City Lancers (USHL)
2001-02 - Omaha Lancers (USHL)
1999-01 - Grand Rapids (MN) H.S.
The USHL's top returning scoring defenseman for 2002-03 considered joining the Huskies prior to his second season at River City. A fractured jaw early in the season limited his playing time and cut his point production in half (3G, 14A) from the prior year. In 2001-02 he compiled 34 points on 6 goals and 28 assists and was second in Lancer scoring for a rookie. As a player at Grand Rapids H.S., he was one of the Iron Range Conference's top players - twice named to the All Conference team, All Area (00-01), CCM All Star Team, Section 7A/AA Great 8 Team, Team MN Chicago Showcase selection and Select 15 Minnkota team. An excellent student, he carried a 3.60 GPA at Grand Rapids H.S. and was a 3 time award winner for who's who in American H.S. students. Much like Justin Fletcher, this quick, smart offensive defenseman will be relied on to help fill the void left by the departure of Derek Eastman.
2003-04 SCSU FIRST YEAR PLAYERS
Tim Boron - 6' 177 Goaltender, Winnipeg, Manitoba
2002-03 - Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
2001-02 - Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL
2000-01 - Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL)
This is another in a long line of outstanding goaltenders produced by the British Columbia Hockey League. He set a team record and tied a league record for shutouts in 2001-02 with five while splitting time in goal. He was runner-up for the Coastal Conference top goaltender award with a 23-10 record, 2.75 GAA and .914 save percentage. He returned in 2002-03 as the "go to" man and played in 48 games making 1528 saves. He was clearly one of the outstanding goalies in the BCHL with 4 shut outs and a .913 save percentage. As a result, he was named Coastal Conference MVP and Goaltender of the Year. He was also named to the Coastal Conference All-Star First Team, Cowichan Valley Team MVP and the Columbia Fuels 3 Star Award. This durable and talented, hard working goaltender should compete for playing time as a freshman.
Casey Borer - 6' 2" 205 Defense, Brooklyn Park, MN
2002-03 - National Team Development Program - Ann Arbor, MI
2001-02 - Shattuck St. Mary's (MN)
2000-01 - Shattuck St. Mary's (MN)
Another recruit to sign on with the Huskies from the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI. Great size and solid defensive play should allow for much success for this player in the WCHA. Paired with the offensive- minded Ryan Suter on the USA team his role was to provide strong defensive play thus limiting his offensive production to 3 goals and 4 assist in 56 games. In April, he represented the USA as a member of the under -18 team that competed for the world championship in Finland and Russia. Previously, he was a two-year member of the powerful Shattuck - St. Mary's team that won the National Midget championship in 2001-02. Over the two years with Shattuck he posted 40 points ( 11G, 29A ) in 129 games. He also was a member of Team Minnesota at the Select 16 Festival. This "defensive" defenseman will complement the attributes of the other newcomers Fletcher and Clafton. Look to this player to be able to step in immediately and contribute to the Huskies.
Comments: Leading scorer for Lakeville H.S. team since she was a freshman. Good skating offensive forward.
Jacqueline Jensen - 5' 8" Forward, Madison, WI
2002-03 - Madison Capitols
Comments: Leading scorer for the Capitols in the National under 19 tournament. Solid forward with good size who can move the puck well.
Marie Michel Lemieux - 5' 11" Forward, Bosbriand,QUE
2002-03 - St. Jerome Cheminots
Comments: MVP for the Boisbriand Junior A squad. Has played for Team Ontario and internationally in Finland and Sweden. Will add much needed size to the Huskies lineup.
Lauri St. Jacques - 5'5" Goaltender, Sturgeon Falls, ONT
2002-03 - North York Junior Aeros
Comments: Voted to the 2003 North Metro All Star Team. Coachable, athletic goaltender who should make an immediate impact.
